Arizona courts calculate child support using the Income Shares Model, which estimates what parents would have spent on their children if the family remained intact and divides that amount based on each parent's proportionate income. Under A.R.S. § 25-320, both parents share the financial responsibility for their children regardless of marital status. For a family with combined monthly income of $9,000 and one child over age 12, the basic support obligation is approximately $1,188 plus a mandatory 10% older child adjustment of $119, totaling $1,307 before parenting time credits.
Key Facts: Arizona Child Support
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model |
| Governing Statute | A.R.S. § 25-320 |
| Minimum Wage (2026) | $15.15/hour |
| Self-Support Reserve | $1,818/month (80% of full-time minimum wage) |
| Older Child Adjustment | 10% increase for children 12+ |
| Modification Threshold | 15% change or $50/month, whichever is less |
| Parenting Time Credit | Begins at 95+ days/year |
| Low Income Threshold | $1,685/month |
| Divorce Filing Fee | $300-$400 (varies by county) |
| Residency Requirement | 90 days |
How the Arizona Child Support Calculator Works
The Arizona child support calculator determines payment amounts by combining both parents' gross incomes, applying the support schedule from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, and then dividing the obligation based on each parent's percentage of the combined income. Arizona courts adopted this income shares approach because economic research demonstrates that children receive the same proportion of parental income whether parents live together or apart. The Arizona Supreme Court maintains an official online calculator that automates these calculations and generates the required Child Support Worksheet.
To use the Arizona child support calculator effectively, you need five categories of information: both parents' gross monthly incomes, the number of children requiring support, each child's age (for the older child adjustment), the number of parenting time days each parent exercises annually, and health insurance costs for the children. The calculator then applies the Arizona Child Support Guidelines schedule to produce a presumptive support amount that courts will order unless deviation is warranted.
Step 1: Calculate Gross Income for Child Support
Gross income for Arizona child support purposes includes all income before taxes and deductions, encompassing wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, rental income, dividends, pensions, Social Security benefits (except SSI), workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and spousal maintenance received. Self-employment income equals gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. The Arizona Child Support Guidelines specifically exclude public assistance benefits including TANF, SSI, food stamps, WIC, and General Assistance from gross income calculations.
When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Arizona courts may impute income at the applicable minimum wage for full-time work. Under A.R.S. § 25-320, courts presume a parent capable of earning at least minimum wage, which in 2026 equals $15.15 per hour in most Arizona counties. For Flagstaff, the minimum wage is $18.35 per hour, and for Tucson, it is $15.45 per hour. Full-time minimum wage income in Arizona calculates to approximately $2,626 per month ($15.15 x 40 hours x 52 weeks / 12 months).
Income Adjustments Before Calculation
Before entering the child support calculator, both parents must adjust their gross income by subtracting court-ordered spousal maintenance paid to a former spouse, court-ordered child support for children from other relationships, and the cost of health insurance premiums for the parent alone (not the child's coverage). These adjustments produce the Adjusted Child Support Income for each parent, which the calculator uses to determine proportionate shares.
Step 2: Determine the Basic Child Support Obligation
The Basic Child Support Obligation comes from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines schedule, which provides support amounts based on combined parental income and number of children. This schedule represents economic research on what intact families typically spend raising children at various income levels. For example, parents with combined monthly income of $5,000 and two children would have a Basic Child Support Obligation of approximately $1,100, while parents with $10,000 combined income and two children would have an obligation of approximately $1,800.
The schedule caps at combined monthly income of $30,000. For parents earning above this threshold, courts have discretion to extrapolate support amounts or set support at the schedule maximum. The Guidelines also establish a floor: if the paying parent's income falls below $1,685 per month, the court has discretion to set support at an amount that allows the parent to maintain basic living expenses.
Step 3: Apply the Older Child Adjustment
Arizona mandates a 10% increase to the Basic Child Support Obligation for each child aged 12 or older, recognizing that adolescents cost approximately 10% more to raise than younger children due to increased food, clothing, activity, and educational expenses. This older child adjustment became mandatory under the 2022 Arizona Child Support Guidelines revision. When only some children in a support order are 12 or older, the 10% increase applies proportionally to those children's share of the basic obligation.
For a family with three children where one child is 14 years old, the calculation assigns one-third of the Basic Child Support Obligation to the older child and adds 10% to that portion. If the Basic Child Support Obligation is $1,500, one-third ($500) is allocated to the 14-year-old, and 10% of $500 ($50) is added, producing an adjusted obligation of $1,550. This adjustment applies automatically when a child turns 12, but parents must petition the court to modify an existing order to receive the increase.
Step 4: Factor in Health Insurance and Childcare
Health insurance premiums paid for the children are added to the Basic Child Support Obligation and divided between parents based on their income percentages. Under Arizona law, insurance costs must be accessible (available in the child's geographic area) and reasonable (not exceeding 5% of the obligated parent's gross income). The parent providing coverage receives a credit equal to the cost of insuring the children alone, not the full family premium. Dental and vision insurance premiums for children are also included in this calculation.
Childcare costs necessary for employment or job training are treated similarly, added to the Basic Child Support Obligation and allocated proportionally. While Arizona courts are not required to order childcare expenses, parents may agree to include them or courts may order them when appropriate. The calculation credits the parent who pays childcare directly, reducing their share of the total obligation.
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
Arizona Child Support Guidelines require parents to share unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision expenses not covered by insurance. Courts typically order parents to share these costs in proportion to their incomes. The parent seeking reimbursement has 180 days from the date services were provided to notify the other parent and request payment. The paying parent then has 45 days to reimburse their share of the expense.
Step 5: Calculate Parenting Time Adjustments
Parenting time significantly affects Arizona child support calculations because the parent exercising parenting time directly spends money on the child during that time. The Arizona Child Support Guidelines provide a Parenting Time Adjustment Table that reduces the paying parent's obligation based on the number of days they exercise parenting time annually. No adjustment applies for parenting time under 95 days per year, which covers traditional every-other-weekend arrangements.
| Annual Parenting Days | Adjustment Percentage |
|---|---|
| 0-94 days | 0% |
| 95-99 days | 14.1% |
| 100-114 days | 16.1-17.5% |
| 115-127 days | 18.5-21.0% |
| 128-146 days | 22.0-29.9% |
| 147-164 days | 32.0-42.0% |
| 165-182 days | 44.0-50.0% |
For equal parenting time (approximately 182 days each), the higher-earning parent pays child support to the lower-earning parent, but receives a 50% reduction to the Basic Child Support Obligation. Arizona counts parenting time by 24-hour blocks: 12-23 hours counts as one day, 6-11 hours counts as half a day, and 3-5 hours counts as a quarter day. Time when children are in school or with third-party caregivers does not count toward parenting time.
Step 6: Apply the Self-Support Reserve Test
Arizona's Self-Support Reserve ensures the paying parent retains enough income to maintain a minimum standard of living after paying child support. The Self-Support Reserve equals 80% of monthly full-time earnings at minimum wage. For 2026, this calculates to approximately $1,818 per month ($15.15 x 40 hours x 52 weeks / 12 months x 0.80 = $2,101 x 0.80 = approximately $1,818).
If ordering the full calculated child support amount would leave the paying parent with income below the Self-Support Reserve, courts may reduce the support order. The test subtracts the Self-Support Reserve from the paying parent's Adjusted Child Support Income, and this result limits the maximum support the parent can be ordered to pay. Courts have discretion in applying this protection to balance children's needs with the paying parent's ability to survive financially.
Example Child Support Calculation
Sarah earns $6,000 gross monthly income. Michael earns $4,000 gross monthly income. They have two children: one aged 8 and one aged 14. Michael exercises parenting time 110 days per year. Sarah provides health insurance for the children at $200 per month.
- Combined Adjusted Income: $10,000/month
- Sarah's Proportionate Share: 60% ($6,000 / $10,000)
- Michael's Proportionate Share: 40% ($4,000 / $10,000)
- Basic Child Support Obligation (from schedule): $1,800
- Older Child Adjustment: $90 (10% of $900, the half allocated to the 14-year-old)
- Health Insurance Added: $200
- Total Support Obligation: $2,090
- Michael's Share (40%): $836
- Parenting Time Adjustment: 17.5% of $1,890 = $331 credit
- Michael's Adjusted Obligation: $505/month
Because Sarah provides health insurance ($200/month), Michael owes Sarah his share plus the insurance allocation. The final worksheet would show Michael paying Sarah approximately $505 per month in child support.
How to Use the Official Arizona Child Support Calculator
The Arizona Judicial Branch provides a free online child support calculator at azcourts.gov/familylaw/child-support-calculator-information. This calculator generates the Child Support Worksheet required for court filings. Parents can also access paper worksheets through local court self-help centers. The calculator requires current income documentation, parenting time schedules, insurance costs, and childcare expenses to produce accurate results.
Before using the calculator, gather the following documents: recent pay stubs (at least 3 months) for both parents, tax returns from the previous year, documentation of other income sources, health insurance premium statements showing the cost for children only, childcare receipts or invoices, and the proposed or existing parenting time schedule. Accurate information produces the most reliable support estimate.
Modifying Arizona Child Support Orders
Under A.R.S. § 25-327, parents may modify child support when circumstances change substantially and continuously. Arizona law presumes a substantial change exists when recalculating support would result in a difference of at least 15% or $50 per month, whichever is less. This threshold allows modifications without proving the change is substantial—the difference itself constitutes proof.
Common grounds for modification include job loss, significant income increase or decrease, changes in parenting time, a child turning 12 (triggering the older child adjustment), changes in health insurance costs, or a child's special needs. Parents receiving services through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (Title IV-D cases) may request a review every three years without showing a substantial change. All other parents must demonstrate the change meets the 15% or $50 threshold.
When Courts Deviate from Calculated Support
Arizona courts may deviate from the calculated child support amount when applying the Guidelines would be inappropriate or unjust. Under the Guidelines, the calculated amount is presumptively correct, but either parent may present evidence supporting deviation. Common deviation factors include educational expenses for gifted children, costs of travel between parents living more than 100 miles apart, extraordinary medical expenses, income disparity leaving one household impoverished while the other maintains a significantly higher standard of living, and contributions to household expenses by a parent's new spouse or partner.
Courts must document reasons for any deviation in writing. The deviation cannot simply be based on disagreement with the Guidelines amount; specific circumstances must justify departing from the presumptive calculation. Deviations can increase or decrease support depending on the circumstances presented.
Enforcing Arizona Child Support Orders
Arizona provides multiple enforcement mechanisms for child support orders. Income withholding orders direct employers to deduct support directly from wages before the paying parent receives their paycheck. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services can suspend driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for parents who fall significantly behind. Federal tax refunds may be intercepted to pay child support arrears.
Parents who fall more than 12 weeks behind on child support payments may face an additional 5% penalty on the arrearage. Courts can hold non-paying parents in contempt, which may result in fines or jail time. Arizona also reports child support arrears to credit bureaus, affecting the non-paying parent's credit score and ability to obtain loans or housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does child support last in Arizona?
Arizona child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, but not beyond age 19. If a child has severe mental or physical disabilities preventing independent living and self-support, courts may order support to continue past the age of majority under A.R.S. § 25-320(E). Support also terminates if the child marries, joins the military, or becomes legally emancipated.
Can parents agree to no child support in Arizona?
Arizona courts discourage zero-support agreements because child support is the child's right, not the parents' right to waive. However, courts may approve agreements where neither parent pays support if both parents have relatively equal incomes and parenting time, and the arrangement serves the children's best interests. Courts will review such agreements to ensure children's needs are met before approval.
Does overtime count as income for child support in Arizona?
Overtime income is included in gross income for Arizona child support calculations if the overtime is regular and consistent. Courts examine the parent's earning history over at least 12 months to determine whether overtime represents a reliable income component. Irregular or seasonal overtime may be averaged or excluded at the court's discretion. Parents cannot voluntarily reduce overtime to lower their support obligation.
How does shared custody affect child support in Arizona?
Shared custody (equal or near-equal parenting time of 147+ days per parent) significantly reduces child support through the parenting time adjustment. The higher-earning parent still pays support to the lower-earning parent, but the adjustment can reduce the obligation by 32% to 50%. Arizona does not automatically eliminate support with equal parenting time because children still incur costs that follow income differentials between households.
What happens if the other parent hides income?
Arizona courts have authority to impute income to parents who hide earnings or are voluntarily underemployed. Courts may examine lifestyle, spending patterns, and historical earnings to determine actual income capacity. Discovery tools allow parents to subpoena bank records, tax returns, and business documents. Parents who deliberately conceal income face potential contempt charges and may be ordered to pay the other parent's attorney fees incurred in uncovering the fraud.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job?
Job loss constitutes a substantial change that may warrant modification under A.R.S. § 25-327. Parents should file for modification promptly after involuntary job loss. Courts may temporarily reduce support while the parent seeks new employment, but the reduction is not automatic—parents must file a motion and demonstrate the job loss was involuntary. Voluntary resignation or termination for cause may not justify modification if the court finds the parent capable of earning comparable income.
How is child support calculated with multiple children from different relationships?
Arizona's child support guidelines account for support obligations to children from other relationships. Court-ordered child support paid for other children is subtracted from gross income before calculating the new support obligation. This adjustment recognizes that the paying parent has finite resources divided among multiple children. The adjustment applies only to court-ordered support actually being paid, not to informal arrangements.
What if my ex refuses to let me see our child—can I stop paying support?
No. Arizona law treats child support and parenting time as separate legal obligations. Withholding child support because the other parent denies parenting time is not a legal defense and will result in arrears, penalties, and potential contempt charges. Parents denied court-ordered parenting time must file an enforcement motion with the court. Likewise, receiving parents cannot deny parenting time because the paying parent is behind on support.
Does the child support calculator account for special needs?
The standard Arizona child support calculator does not automatically adjust for children with special needs. However, extraordinary medical expenses, therapy costs, specialized educational needs, and other disability-related expenses can be presented to the court as grounds for deviation from the Guidelines amount. Courts regularly order increased support when children have documented special needs requiring additional financial resources.
How quickly can I get a child support order in Arizona?
Temporary child support can be ordered within 2-4 weeks of filing a motion for temporary orders. Final child support orders in uncontested cases may be entered 60 days after filing (Arizona's mandatory waiting period for divorce). Contested cases requiring trial may take 6-12 months or longer depending on court schedules. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services can establish orders administratively in 60-90 days for parents not going through divorce proceedings.
Resources for Arizona Child Support
The Arizona Judicial Branch maintains comprehensive child support resources at azcourts.gov, including the official calculator, Guidelines document, and self-help information. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services (des.az.gov) assists with establishing and enforcing support orders. Local Superior Court self-help centers provide free assistance with forms and procedures. For complex cases involving business income, hidden assets, or interstate issues, consulting with an Arizona family law attorney ensures accurate calculations and proper protection of rights.
This guide provides general information about Arizona child support calculations under A.R.S. § 25-320 and related statutes. Child support determinations depend on individual circumstances, and courts have discretion in applying the Guidelines. For specific legal advice regarding your situation, consult with a qualified Arizona family law attorney.